Leather Helmets

**go2evryfyr** · 12-19-2002, 12:16 AM

Hi,

Any prefrences on leather helmets?

**PAVolunteer** · 12-19-2002, 09:39 AM

Cairns N5A (New Yorker) - preferably an older one, but if you have to go new, go new.

Stay Safe

SFDny15 · 12-19-2002, 12:34 PM

Yeah, the Cairns N5A is a great choice. Personally, I use the N6A which is the Houston model. The Houston is NFPA compliant while the New Yorker is only OSHA. I use the Houston because of the faceshield which is used quite a bit in my department (extrication, etc.)

Cairns New Yorker or Houston are you best bets.

**Medic162** · 12-19-2002, 01:51 PM

I was not aware of any leather fireman helmets besides the N5A "New Yorker", I've heard there is something called a Houston

But seriously - I love my New Yorker, buy one before someone decides to take away something else from us that leans towards tradition!

**FIREFIGHTER251** · 12-19-2002, 10:27 PM

The Paul Conway American Heritage is a very nice leather. But if your looking for tradition and have the money to spend then the New Yorker is what you want.

"FEAR NOTHING, RESPECT ALL"

**blancety** · 12-20-2002, 07:34 AM

Your choices:

Cairns N6A - Houston - NFPA approved

Cairns N5A - New Yorker - OSHA approved, not NFPA

Paul Conway - NFPA approved.

The Conway is actually a composite helmet with strips of leather stretched over it. Looks like a leather, and most guys say it is very comfortable.

If you must where an approved helmet....you really only have 2 choices.

I have a N6A..and it seems to get more comfortable everytime I wear it.

**Adze39** · 12-20-2002, 01:03 PM

My favorite leather is my older New Yorker.

I also have a Houston that is 5 or 6 years old.

I don't like the new Houstons because the domes are so HUGE on the damn things. I know they need to add protective caps and such on the inside but GD it, it is getting a little ridiculous.

**JJBat150** · 12-20-2002, 01:47 PM

Cairns 5A ....but they don't seem to make em like they used to

Got my first one back in '87, still good, but retired it 4 years ago when I was given an all-white one as a father's day present by my new-born 1st daughter (I think mom helped her pick it out). That one has since ben retired, the brim dried and cracked, then the leather around the brim dried and split to the point where the wire around the rim was exposed. I send it back to the dealer for evaluation from Cairns, and I was told to hang it on the wall.

Now wearing my 3rd leather, again a traditional black 5A. (this one is department issued) Got the engraved eagle from Cairns on it, but that's kinda flimsy as compaired to the one on my orginal helmet. Crossing my fingers that this one holds up better that the white one did.

One thing I do like with the newer styles is the ratchet adjust on the head band. At first it was a little goofy getting used to but now it's so easy to adjust when necessary.

**GeorgeWendtCFI** · 12-21-2002, 06:34 AM

I bought my first leather in 1976. Guess how much it cost (w/Bourke eyeshields)?

$76.00

**captstanm1** · 12-21-2002, 07:44 AM

The only real Leather Helmet is the Cairns N5A or N6A...(in my opinion anything else is an imitation)...Look at em closely...and
NO...I do not sell them!

George...I got you beat...1971, complete with bourques and the leather front.....with the good old elastic chin strap and short nomex earflaps...$71.00

**RE33** · 12-21-2002, 07:57 AM

I know I am going to get slammed for this but....

What is that makes a leather so great? I have worn two and while I thought they were decent helmets I don't think they were any better then the 1010 I am currently wearing. In fact with the ratchet adjustment and lighter weight I would say that the 1010 is the best helmet I have worn.

I see all this worship to a type of helmet and I have to scratch my head. To me if you were going to worship anything leather in the fire service it would be leather firefighting boots. That is a piece of protective clothing that has really made a difference in my opinion.

**GeorgeWendtCFI** · 12-21-2002, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by RE33
I know I am going to get slammed for this but....

What is that makes a leather so great? I have worn two and while I thought they were decent helmets I don't think they were any better then the 1010 I am currently wearing. In fact with the ratchet adjustment and lighter weight I would say that the 1010 is the best helmet I have worn.

I see all this worship to a type of helmet and I have to scratch my head. To me if you were going to worship anything leather in the fire service it would be leather firefighting boots. That is a piece of protective clothing that has really made a difference in my opinion.

Whatever.

Captstan;

BUT...did you get to go directly to the factory, get that stupd machine with the punch card put on your head, and get it custom made?

I went through about a million of those blue elastic chin straps.

**DeputyChiefGonzo** · 12-21-2002, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by RE33
I know I am going to get slammed for this but....

What is that makes a leather so great? I have worn two and while I thought they were decent helmets I don't think they were any better then the 1010 I am currently wearing. In fact with the ratchet adjustment and lighter weight I would say that the 1010 is the best helmet I have worn.

I see all this worship to a type of helmet and I have to scratch my head. To me if you were going to worship anything leather in the fire service it would be leather firefighting boots. That is a piece of protective clothing that has really made a difference in my opinion.

another reason for leather....

Last week, I had to meet the garage door repair people at Engine 2's house ( they were out on a call), so I took my gear, put it in Car 3 and met them there. When I came back to quarters, I put my gear on the front bumper of the Engine. I did a stupid, stupidthing....I put the helmet (a Cairns N6A) under my coat. At 17:15 hours, we were dispatched for a "smoke in the building" call at an apartment complex. I put on my bunker pants, grabbed my coat, and thinking that my brain bucket was in the cab of the rig, climbed aboard and went to the call.

When we arrived at the scene as the second due engine, we stood by the hydrant as per our response protocol. The deputy pulled alongside of us in Car 2 and said "Captain, I think this is yours..."

It had come off the bumper of the rig as we were taking a corner...the Deputy saw it go end over end through the intersection. It got a few scuffs on the ridges and the brim, nothing that touch up paint couldn't hide. Otherwise, there was no other damage to the helmet or its integrity. If it was "pleather" or "tactical tupperware", it would have been junk!

**captstanm1** · 12-21-2002, 04:02 PM

The picture posted by E40FDNYL35 says it all....nothing is better....

Geroge....ok...you got me... I bought mine from Maryland Fire Equipment off the shelf...... Now I am sad that my first one was not custom made! I know what you mean about the straps.....LOL

**RE33** · 12-21-2002, 06:07 PM

Launched my 1010 out of the cab while the driver made a hard left hand turn. Went back, picked it up and have worn it ever since...hmmmm.

**go2evryfyr** · 12-22-2002, 12:25 AM

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the great information and entertaining stories, I'm aware of several brands of leather helmets and just wanted some opinions, I have worn a N6A that one of my coworkers owns and kind of fell in love with it nice and pretty, just trying to bring some tradition back to a very untraditional fire service, I have an east coast attitude with some west coast mixing in a new age fire department.... so we'll see what happens.. if anyone has an opinion on anything other then the Houston or New Yorker, pipe in please... Thanks again, and happy holidays....

**tshayes** · 12-22-2002, 01:14 AM

I have used a N5A before and liked it. My last helmet I bought for my self was a Morning Pride Ben 2, which is the same thing that FDNY uses. This thing takes all the heat I can through at it, which hasn't been much, and keeps coming back for more. I learned the hard way why you put your chin strap on when my helmet fell four stories to the ground. Just a few scratches that would not need painting and it is the most comfortable thing I have ever worn.

**RE33** · 12-22-2002, 08:05 AM

tshayes,

Are you saying that a non leather helmet fell four stories and was still able to be worn? Impossible.... or at least some would want you to believe that. You also said that the helmet is comfortable and has been able to offer all the protection you ever needed? It just can't be.

**SCOOBY14B** · 12-22-2002, 03:54 PM

I have been wanting to get a Sam Houston for a few years now. Our department issues Cairns 1000's and 1010's, can only wear a Houston.

where is the best and cheapest place to order?

Also...how do you measure your head for one? Like a hat?

**CALFFBOU** · 12-22-2002, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by SCOOBY14B
I have been wanting to get a Sam Houston
for a few years now. Our department issues
Cairns 1000's and 1010's, can only wear a Houston.
where is the best and cheapest place to order?

From fire helmets to fuzzy handcuffs, you can find
almost anything at www.ebay.com. I have
seen numerous (LOTS) fire helmets (leather/non-leather)
there for a decent price.

And dont forget the "tactical tupperware" at-
www.phenixfirehelmets.com. They sell leather too.

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